Anxiety and Depression
The lack of iron in the blood may affect several bodily systems, including the brain. It is associated with mental health disorders, especially anxiety and depression. The part of the brain known as the basal ganglia has more iron than other brain areas. As a result, it is responsive to changes in iron levels. In the past, scientists believed that the basal ganglia were primarily responsible for movement, but new evidence reveals that this region also influences the processing of emotional information. Therefore, the brain may not process emotions effectively if the iron levels are low.
Several studies have also shown that greater iron consumption reduces the likelihood of depressive symptoms and other mental illnesses. Iron deficiency alters monoamine neurotransmitters and causes aberrant myelination of the substantia alba. Moreover, the equilibrium of GABA and glutamate is altered by changes in iron status in the brain. Such changes result in emotional and psychological difficulties. Iron is required for various enzymes involved in neurotransmitter production, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which regulate anxiety, mood, and neuronal activity. Serotonin insufficiency is often related to iron deficiency. Consequently, these potential biological pathways might explain why iron consumption may lessen the risk of mental illnesses.
